FAQs for NumberBarn Service

Porting In to NumberBarn

What does "port my number" mean?

"Porting" simply means transferring your existing landline or cell phone number from one telephone service provider to another.

Who owns my phone number?

You own it! We simply take care of it for you. We "port in" your number from your current provider and maintain it. Under the FCC’s “local number portability” (LNP) rules, you are legally able to keep your number when you move or change phone companies.

What does the one-time setup fee cover?

The setup fee covers the cost of negotiating the transfer of your number from your existing phone carrier.

What numbers can be ported to NumberBarn?

What about porting pre-paid cell phones?

Yes. You can port your pre-paid cell phone number. All you need is your wireless account number and PIN. If you don't have this information, ask your current cell carrier.

How long will porting take?

Porting will take as little as 3 days, and as long as 30 days. Most wireless numbers will port in 3 business days; landlines will typically port in 7 business days from major carriers, and 10-20 business days from smaller carriers. Don't worry, we'll keep you updated throughout the porting process, and we'll let you know once we have agreed on a firm porting date with your current carrier.

What information is needed to port my number?

The information needed to port your number will be collected during sign up. That information includes: the number you are porting, your account number and PIN#/Passcode (when porting a wireless number), and your physical address (no PO Boxes). Please make sure the information you submit during sign up matches the information your current provider has on file. Any discrepancies can delay the number porting process.

When should I cancel my existing service?

Your service must remain active with your current provider throughout the number porting process. You will be notified by NumberBarn once your number has successfully transferred and you will be able to cancel your service with your current provider at that time. NumberBarn does not cancel your service on your behalf.

Does NumberBarn cancel my previous service after the number transfers?

No. NumberBarn does not cancel your previous service. You will need to cancel your previous service after your number has transferred. Transferring your phone number may cause your carrier to automatically cancel. Check with your current carrier.

Will my existing service work during the porting process?

Your existing service will work as is during the porting process as long as you do not make any account changes. Once your number has transferred to NumberBarn, your old service will no longer function.

What is the verification process for transfers? Do I need a current bill?

For wireless numbers, we will require your wireless account number and PIN. Note that the account number is often different from your wireless phone number. Once we verify your order, we'll send you an SMS or call you to verify that the porting request is authorized. Once that's done, we'll work with your existing carrier to port your number as quickly as possible.

For landline numbers, we will call you to verify that the porting request is authorized. Once we verify your order, we'll work with your existing carrier to port your number as quickly as possible. Some carriers will request a copy of your recent phone bill, or other verification information, and if this happens, we'll work with you to provide that information to the carrier and complete the porting process.

What if I can't receive a call to my number to authorize?

If you are unable to receive a call to the number you are transferring, you can complete, sign and return our Letter of Authorization (LOA) form. The form is available in your account after sign up. This replaces the authorization call.

Can I transfer multiple numbers to NumberBarn or do a bulk port?

You can start the transfer of as many numbers as you wish from within your account. If you plan on transferring 10 or more numbers to NumberBarn from the same carrier, let us know here as we do offer bulk number porting discounts.

Porting Away from NumberBarn

Can I port my number out from NumberBarn?

Yes! You can port your number out to the carrier of your choice at any time. There are no restrictions or fees to do so.

Is there a fee to port my number away from NumberBarn?

NumberBarn does not charge a port out fee. Your new provider will probably charge a porting fee. You will still be responsible for paying for your monthly service until the number port completes.

Will my new carrier accept a phone number transferred from NumberBarn?

The majority of carriers will accept phone number transfers from NumberBarn. Some mobile carriers have policies that only allow them to port in "wireless" phone numbers. NumberBarn's numbers are classified as "wireline" and that classification can not be modified by NumberBarn. Check with your new carrier first.

Can I port out a number to any phone?

Cellular phones and VoIP can be used with any number. However, landlines must be associated with an area code for the region it is in. So while you can use a California 951 area code for a cellphone or VOIP carrier in New York (as an example), you would need a local New York area code such as 646 for a landline.

Please note: Not every phone number in your area code will work at every address in your area code. This is true of all numbers in the country. If you move outside of your “rate center”, even your current landline number would not work at your new address. It has to do with the legacy telecom switch network. VOIP and wireless carriers are not bound by these restrictions. They use the internet and cell towers, respectively, independent of the telecom switch network.

Please contact your landline carrier and ask them if the number you are interested in will work at the physical address you want your phone number to work at before ordering or buying your new phone number to confirm.

What is a rate center?

A rate center is a geographically specific area used to determine the boundaries for local calling, billing and assigning phone numbers. Typically a call within a rate center is local, while a call from one rate center to another is a long-distance call. Rate center boundaries do not necessarily align with county or municipal boundaries.

Can I port my toll free number to my wireless carrier for use on my cell phone?

No. Toll free numbers can not be ported to a wireless carrier. Toll free numbers can only be ported to a landline or VoIP carrier.

How do I port a number away from NumberBarn?

When you purchase a number, your NumberBarn account will have the information you will need to port the phone number to your new carrier. You will need to provide this account information to the new carrier to port to their service.

How long does porting out take?

Port out timing depends on the carrier or service provider. They all tend to work at different speeds. Usually it takes a few business days for the process to complete.

I'm porting away, why do I need to select a monthly plan?

The number will need to be activated to port out to a new carrier. Selecting a plan allows the number to be activated on our system for porting. You will want to select our $2 Park plan for this. It is the least expensive and allows you 30 days to port away without paying any additional monthly fees. Once the number has ported away, your NumberBarn service is automatically cancelled and you will not incur any further charges.

New Local and Toll-Free Numbers

How many new phone numbers does NumberBarn have available?

We have 30,000,000 phone numbers available to search and purchase. That's the world's largest database of new local and toll free numbers available!

What toll-free numbers does NumberBarn offer?

What does the one-time setup fee cover?

The setup fee covers the cost of purchasing, registering and activating the number with your contact information.

Can I purchase multiple numbers?

You can purchase as many phone numbers as you want during sign up. Additional numbers can be added to your account within your control panel after sign up. Each number requires it's own plan.

Can I get a refund if decide I don’t want the number I purchased?

Due to the nature of NumberBarn's services, returns or refunds are not always possible. NumberBarn is a marketplace/search engine that aggregates phone numbers from various vendors and suppliers. Your selected phone number is secured on your behalf directly from our vendors who retain their own return policies.

Can I purchase numbers in bulk?

Yes! If you would like to purchase 50 or more numbers, please contact us about our discount pricing for bulk purchasing.

General Service

Can I keep my existing phone service and use NumberBarn?

Moving your number to NumberBarn will discontinue service with your current provider.

Can I store more than one number with NumberBarn?

You can port and/or purchase as many phone numbers as you want and manage them all within a single NumberBarn account. Each number requires it's own plan.

What if I decide to cancel?

If you no longer wish to use NumberBarn, you can cancel at any time. There are no cancellation fees.

Is there a fee to change my plan?

There are no fees to change your plan. You are able to update your plan at any time.

What are the extra fees and taxes?

What types of payment does NumberBarn accept?

NumberBarn accepts all major credit cards for payment. We do not accept any other forms of payment at this time.

How do I pay my monthly bill?

Your credit card is kept on file and used to auto pay your monthly bill.

Do I need an internet connection for my NumberBarn number to work?

No. We make it ring, you just answer it.

What if I go over my plan's monthly minutes?

Any minutes used over your plan's monthly allotted minutes will be billed at our pay as you go rate of $0.03/minute. Our 300 minute Forward plan allows up to a maximum of 1000 minutes/month of usage.

How do I place outbound calls?

Within the account control panel, use our dialer to place outbound calls using your NumberBarn number as your outgoing caller ID. This requires an existing phone with active service, such as your mobile phone. You can also use our mobile apps for iPhone and Android.

How does outbound calling work?

NumberBarn uses a "call back" service to connect your call.

Enter the number of the phone that will be used to place the call*

Select your outgoing caller ID from your NumberBarn account.

Dial the number you want to call

NumberBarn calls your phone, answer and we connect your call to the number dialed.

Callee sees your NumberBarn phone number as your caller ID

*You will need an active phone number (such as your mobile phone) to place outgoing calls.

Is the NumberBarn app required to place outbound calls?

The NumberBarn mobile app makes it easier to place outbound calls, but is not required to use outbound calling. You can use the dialer by logging in to your account in any browser!

Can I view a list of calls to my number?

Yes! You can review your incoming/outgoing phone calls and SMS (text) messages to your NumberBarn phone number. Logs can be sorted by billing period and phone number and are downloadable as a .csv file that can be imported into your favorite spreadsheet application.

Park Plan

What is "park" my number and why would I do it?

Parking your number means storing it with an active service so you can maintain ownership of the number. You can activate it when you need it and not have to give out a new phone number.

What happens when someone calls my parked NumberBarn number?

Any callers who dial your parked number will hear a short, pre-recorded message telling them the number is parked with NumberBarn. To hear this message, call 844-586-5686.

Can I customize my outgoing park message?

Yes! You can upload a custom .mp3 or .wav file, or record a message over the phone to use as your outgoing message. Park message is limited to 30 seconds.

Is there a fee to change my plan?

There are no fees to change your plan. You are able to update your plan at any time.

Forward Plan

Will callers know their call is being forwarded?

No. Callers who dial your NumberBarn number are transparently forwarded to your number of choice.

What are the minutes used for if you are just forwarding to another number?

With call forwarding, there is no handoff of the call once we connect it to your forwarding number. We maintain control of the call for its duration so any minutes used are subtracted from your plan's minutes. Minutes are also used for outgoing calls using our dialer feature.

How will I know if a call is coming from my NumberBarn number?

Caller ID select lets you choose to show the incoming caller's Caller ID or show your NumberBarn phone number as incoming Caller ID.

How often can I change the number I forward calls to?

You can update your forwarding number as often as you like within your account control panel 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Changes are free and instantly activated.

Does NumberBarn forward to international numbers?

NumberBarn is starting a service for forwarding to international phone numbers. Please contact us and let us know if you would like to set up international forwarding.

Will NumberBarn forward a call from an international phone number?

Yes. Calls to your NumberBarn phone number from an international number will be forwarded to your call forwarding number. You will need to verify with your service provider to make sure they will accept an international call.

Can I have callers sent to voicemail?

Yes. Call forwarding comes with optional voicemail that can be turned on and sends voicemail messages directly to your email as a .wav audio file.

What happens to text messages that get sent to my number?

Text messages sent to your number can be forwarded to your email address. This is an included but optional feature. Picture messages and short code messages are supported, but not in all areas. Text message fowarding is not supported for toll free numbers.

Can I set up a menu to send calls to different numbers?

Our auto attendant menu allows you to set up to 10 forwarding numbers that correspond to the keys on the keypad. "Press 1 for sales, 2 for support and press 3 for all other inquiries."

What will callers hear when I use the menu option?

You will need to upload your own pre-recorded outgoing message audio file (.wav or .mp3) to be used with your menu. It will be played when a caller dials your number.

How much extra does the auto attendant menu cost?

Our menu feature is included with our call forwarding plans.

Can I create extensions for my numbers?

NumberBarn does not an have extension feature or system.

Voicemail

How long can my outgoing message be?

Your outgoing message can be up to 2 minutes in length.

Can I upload an audio file as my outgoing message?

Yes, you can upload a custom .mp3 or .wav file, or record a message over the phone to use as your outgoing message.

Will I have a voicemail box to log into and check for messages?

With NumberBarn, there is no voicemail inbox, login or password. Your messages are delivered diretly to your email as a .wav audio file you can listen to in your email, download, save and forward. You can also view and listen to messages in your account call logs.

Where do the messages get sent?

Voice messages are sent to you via email. You can enter up to 2 email addresses to receive the audio message file.

How do I listen to my voice messages?

Messages are recorded and sent to you via email as a .wav file so you can listen, forward and save them. You can also view and listen to messages in your account call logs.

Text Messaging

What is SMS?

SMS stands for Short Message Service and is also commonly referred to as a "text message".